GUWAHATI, July 6: Assam is set to establish a compressed biogas (CBG) plant after North East Dairy and Foods Ltd (NEDFL), which markets dairy products under the Purabi brand, signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Suzuki R&D Centre India (SRDI) to develop the project.
The initiative aims to convert agricultural and dairy waste into compressed biogas, a renewable fuel, along with organic fertiliser, promoting sustainable waste management and cleaner energy production in the state.
Under the agreement, NDDB will provide technical and institutional support for the project, while NEDFL will be responsible for implementing and operating the facility, as well as marketing the compressed biogas and organic fertilisers produced. Suzuki R&D Centre India will invest in the project and receive carbon credits and other benefits generated through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
According to NEDFL, the proposed plant is expected to strengthen scientific waste management practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve rural livelihoods and encourage the use of compressed biogas as an alternative fuel for vehicles and industrial applications. The project is also expected to create an additional source of income for farmers by generating value from agricultural and dairy waste, while the organic fertiliser produced at the facility is expected to support sustainable farming and improve soil health.
NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah said Assam and the Northeast are recognised for their near-natural farming practices, adding that the project would promote sustainable organic agriculture while enhancing dairy farmers’ incomes through a circular economy model.
NEDFL Managing Director S.B. Bose said Purabi Dairy is committed to making the initiative a landmark project in Assam’s transition towards a cleaner and greener future.
Suzuki R&D Centre India representative Toshihiro Suzuki said the company is currently associated with nine biogas plant projects across India, two of which are already operational in Banaskantha. He added that the Assam project would further support the efforts of the governments of India and Japan to expand the adoption of biogas plants across the country.
